St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-30
FASHIONS IN FURNITURE.

They Change with as Much Frequency as
the Styles in Hats and Bonnets.
1t is probable that if it were as easy
to discard an old suit of furniture and
procure 4 new one. as it is for those
who have the means to order 4 new
dress, our houses would never wear Il
homelike or familiar look, for no sooner
would we become acquainted with the
vagarics of the chairs, bureaus and
other articles of furniture, and each
angle and protubcrance he so we'll
known that they could be avoided i'll
the dark, than we would have to ac-
custom ourselves to new arrange
mcnt and map out a new chart AS it
is. a suit of furniture which five or six
years ago held Il leading position in
fashionable circles. is to-day looked
upon as out of date. 1t requires about
five years for the accomplishment of Il
complete evolution in style. This,
perhaps, is a very judicious arrange
ment, for tho young couple that
have their house newly furnished
when they set out together may
have their home refurnished in the
latest style when the fifth anniversary.
known rs the wooden wedding. is celc-
brated. What will they do when the
tenth anniversary arrives? By that
time they should have money enough
to refurnish their house if they wish to
do so. or sense enough to care nothing
for the rules of fashion. Five years
AGO about the only wood used In
the manufacture of furniture was
back walnut. Occasionally a
bedroom suit in ash or white wood was
discovered. but such an object at
tractcd as much attention as the wear
CT of an India helmet would in walk
down Broadway. To-day black wal
nut still holds place i'll society. but it
has been outraukci by mahogany, oak
and cherry. Bedroom suits made of
dark cross grained mahogany are the
chief attraction in furniture salesrooms
to-day. aud articles of furniture made
of this wood command higher price
than the same designs made up in
other fashionable woods. There are
many purchasers, however, who prefer
the honest, sturdy-looking oak, or the
bright and warm looking cherry.
Mahogany was the most fashionable
of all woods about half century ago,
and no doubt there are slowed away in
cellars or attics. OF still doing service
in the second or third generation, many
bedstead, bureau or parlor suit which
is just sufficiently antique to meet the
prevailing demand. Mahogany will
take high polish and will wear ''for-
ever" as the dealers say, as it is very
tough. We know Of one suit of furni-
ture made of this wood which has sue
cessfully withstood the wear and tear
of two generations of boys and has not
as many scars to-day as the boys them
selves. Oak furniture does not take as
brilliant polish as mahogany, black
walnut or cherry, but it has business
like look and is preferred by many be-
cause it has more genuine antique
appearance. This wood is but little
used in the manufacture of bedroom
suits, but for dinner chairs, desks, hat
trees and chiffonicrs it is preferred.
There are marked shades in oak, and
in the manufacture of desks especially
a very pretty effect is produced by the
iudicious combination of these shades.
Cherry is used for almost every pur-
pose and is selected generally in the
manufacture of Sleepy Hollow and
other more or less comfortable work
ing chairs and easy chairs. Z. Mail
and Express